Mickelson’s status for SHO still unknown

Neither the PGA nor Shell Houston Open officials could offer any updates Monday on Phil Mickelson’s prospects for teeing off as scheduled Thursday in the Shell Houston Open.

Mickelson, who owns four major titles and won the SHO in 2011, pulled out of the Valero Texas Open during the third round Saturday because of a strained oblique muscle suffered on his downswing teeing off on the first hole. He had birdied his final hole Friday to make the cut in San Antonio. He played the first nine holes of the third round before calling it quits, then returned to his home in San Diego, where he was to have seen a doctor Monday.

In a statement released by the PGA at the Valero, Mickelson admitted, “There’s really not much you can do for a pulled muscle. I hope I’ll be OK to play the Shell in Houston, but I just don’t know.”

The SHO’s official position, a spokesperson said, is that Mickelson remains in the field until he officially withdraws and that hasn’t yet happened. He’s not participating in the Wednesday Pro-Am, having previously opted to attend a sponsor’s dinner instead – players are afforded that option on occasion – so it might not be until Thursday morning, the day the tournament begins, before Mickelson’s status is resolved.

But, with the Masters looming next week, it’s assumed he’ll be hyper-cautious in any decision he makes.